Cross-Sex Best Friendships and the Experience and Expression of Jealousy within Romantic Relationships. (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gilchrist-Petty, Eletra; Bennett, Lance Kyle
• Is Part Of: Journal of relationships research. Volume 10(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: cross-sex best friendships, -- jealousy, -- romantic relationships, -- jealousy experience, -- jealousy expression, -- attitude mediation; Families -- Periodicals; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; 158.2
• DOI: 10.1017/jrr.2019.16
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1838-0956

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated cross-sex best friendships in the experience and expression of jealousy within romantic relationships. Survey data (N = 346) revealed engaged-to-be-married individuals, compared to single, dating and married individuals, have the most negative attitudes regarding cross-sex best friendships. Results further indicated preventive jealousy experience is a predictor of rival-focused jealousy expression, and reactive jealousy experience is a predictor of both constructive and destructive jealousy expressions. Findings also suggest attitudes toward cross-sex best friendships can mediate the relationship between how jealousy is experienced and expressed in relation to reactive jealousy experience and destructive jealousy expression. Implications are discussed regarding how cross-sex best friendships can adversely affect romantic relationships.